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Senate Sinks Two Ocean Protection Bills; Three Still Afloat

New laws to protect California's coast are moving through the state Legislature. But as KPBS reporter Ed Joyce tells us, it hasn't been smooth sailing for all of the bills.

Senate Sinks Two Ocean Protection Bills; Three Still Afloat

New laws to protect California's coast are moving through the state Legislature. But as KPBS reporter Ed Joyce tells us, it hasn't been smooth sailing for all of the bills.

Most of the trash in the water or on beaches is plastic. The debris is blamed for injuring and killing marine life and sea birds. One form of that plastic is known as nurdles -- tiny plastic pellets that are used in manufacturing.

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Dan Jacobson with Environment California says the pellets are becoming the most common pollutant on our beaches.

Jacobson : There's millions and millions of these pellets that get into the water, they look like fish eggs, they're eaten by fish -- they are laced with chemicals.

He says a bill requiring safer transportation and storage of the plastic pellets has passed the assembly. A bill phasing out certain toxic chemicals from plastic packaging and one to reduce derelict fishing gear that kills ocean life have passed the state senate. But legislators turned down bills banning Styrofoam and requiring fast food packaging to be recyclable.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.